Can opener



C. V. FOWLER July 23 193',

CAN OPENER Filed Sept. 4, 1934 Ckzrias 7r owier:

Patented July 23, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2 Claims.

This invention relates to openers for sealed containers such as the usual tin cans.

The object of the present invention is to provide a can opener so constructed that it may be easily and quickly applied to a can and which will remain in contact therewith during severing of the top or lid.

Another object is to provide a can opener including a cutting blade and means associated therewith which will not only hold the same in contact with the can during cutting of the lid but form a smooth cut without irregular projecting edges whereby the contents of the can may be easily discharged.

A further object is to provide a can opener so constructed that the portions of the top or lid of the can when out will be forced downwardly thereby preventing rough or irregular edges on the same.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawing in which Fig. 1 is a fragmentary side elevation of tin can with the improved can opener applied thereto.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary section taken through the can at substantially right angles to Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 1 showing the blade or cutter of the opener penetrating the top of the can.

30 Fig. 4 is a fragmentary section taken through the can at substantially right angles to Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a top plan view of the can opener.

Fig. 6 is a side elevation view of the can opener.

Fig. 7 is a bottom plan View of the can opener.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary side elevation looking toward the inner face of the opener.

Fig. 9 is an end elevation of the can opener.

Referring more specifically to the drawing, I0 generally designates the improved can opener 40 which comprises a bar or lever I I, a cutting blade I2 and a handle I3 secured thereto.

The outer end of the lever II is bifurcated as indicated at I4 forming fingers I5 and I6 respectively that are bent downwardly. Finger I5 is 5 disposed at substantially right angles to the body I! of the lever and is turned slightly inwardly as shown in Fig. 7.

Secured to or formed integral with finger I5 is a reinforcing member I8 and formed in the 5 inner face of said finger is a recess I9 that receives the head or rimB of the can designated at C when opening the same in a manner hereinafter described.

Finger I6 engages the inner face of the rim and 55 co-acts with finger I5 to l old the cutting blade in contact with the rim during a cutting operation.

Cutting blade I2 is of substantially triangular shape in elevation and is formed integral with a member 20 '(formed of suitable cutting metal) 5 that engages the lever, the latter being held against shifting on said lever by a stud or the like 2|.

Blade I2 is provided with an inwardly curved cutting edge that is beveled at an angle of about 10 The blade is turned slightly inwardly as shown in Fig. '7 in order that it will follow the curvature of the can.

In opening a can with the improved opener it is placed on the same with the finger I5 engaging the underside and finger I6 engaging the inner face of the rim B at which time the upper face or shoulder of the recess I9 and member I8 will impinge upon the underside of said rim.

The lever is then pressed downwardly and this action causes the blade to penetrate the lid and at the same time press the inner portion of the rim into engagement with surface of the can. The lever is now simultaneously raised and shifted forwardly to obtain a new bight and the operation repeated until the top is severed from the can body.

It will be noted that during cutting with the improved opener, it remains in contact with the can, (due to engagement of the fingers I5 and I6 with the rim) thus precluding any danger of cutting ones self with the blade, also that no irregular or jagged edges are formed on the inner face of the can which would prevent easy discharge of its contents. 35

From the foregoing it will be seen the improved can opener is of simple construction; may be easily and cheaply produced and is very effective in performing its intended functions.

I claim:

1. A can opener comprising a lever having a pair of fingers formed on one end thereof and a cutting blade secured to said lever rearwardly of the fingers thereon, one of said fingers being bent downwardly at substantially right angles to said lever and having a recess formed in its inner face arranged to engage the underside of the rim of a can and form a fulcrum point for said lever during cutting of the can, the other of said fingers arranged to engage the inner side of the can rim to hold the cutter in engagement with the can.

2. A can opener comprising a lever having a pair of fingers formed on one end thereof and a cutting blade having an inwardly curved cutting edge and being turned slightly inwardly, said blade secured to said lever rearwardly of the fingers thereon, one of said fingers being bent downwardly in a plane at right angles to the body of the lever and having a recess in its inner face forming a shoulder arranged to engage the under side of a can rim and form a fulcrum point for said lever during cutting of the can top, the other of said fingers being bent slightly downwardly and terminating at a point above the shoulder in said first stated finger and arranged to engage the inner face of the can rim, whereby said cutting blade will be held in contact with the can during severing of the top of the same.

C. V. FOWLER. 

